As fast as he could, the frog hopped after her, in hopes of catching the girl. He was certain that in her excitement, she had merely forgotten the promise and figured she would remember if only he could hop faster. It took him quite a while to make it all the way to the palace grounds and then through the garden and into the castle. Having caught only glimpses of the princess, as she walked far ahead of him, the frog came to the door through which the royal family and all their court passed. Guards, ministers, musicians and even the King himself came and went and the frog could only sit off to the side, hoping the princess would make an appearance. Several members of the court took note of the bright green creature, thinking it odd that a frog would just be sitting there. Into the afternoon and then the evening and the frog still sat there on the finely manicured lawn.

"What is all the commotion?" The princess asked on her way to dinner, seeing a number of people at the window. One of the maids curtsied and said that the cutest little frog had been sitting outside the entire day.

Frowning, the girl went to the window and looked out. Then and only then did she realize it was the same frog that had retrieved her ball from the pond and also of the vague promise she had made.

The staff went about their business and the princess waited, opening the door when everyone had left. On the steps, she asked the frog what he was doing there, then looked about to see if anyone had seen her speaking to him. He reminded her in detail of what she had agreed to and the girl sighed heavily, as if burdened with a great load.

"I cannot take you inside." She scolded in a way that only a princess could. "But you promised, M'Lady." The frog said.

"I was only glad that you could get my golden ball back and for that I thank you, but I am not going to take you in. Now, go away you silly frog." The princess pointed her finger in the direction of the forest and then stepped back indoors and went toward the dining hall.

Outside, the poor frog sat there stunned. He quickly went over the events of the day, wondering if he had understood them and he had. "But you promised." He said meekly, feeling terribly disappointed.

________________

The subject of the frog and how he had sat in the courtyard the whole day, as if waiting for something, was discussed at dinner. But the princess stayed quiet. At one point, there was a commotion out in the hallway and the King asked what the disturbance was. The head butler returned, smirking, saying that someone had left the door open and that the very same frog had come inside. "The creature frightened some of the servants, Majesty, that is all." "I told him to leave." The princess said to herself, but loud enough to be heard. "What's that, Dear?" The King asked, but his daughter just shook her head and said, "nothing". Now the King just happened to glance across the huge room and there in the doorway of the grand dining hall was the aforementioned frog. Sitting there calmly, the frog brought a grin to the King's face and he chuckled. This was a much needed moment of humor within the seriousness of running a kingdom. Easing back in his throne-like chair, The King called out to the small green visitor. "So what brings you here, Mr. Frog?"

Obviously, the King did not expect an answer, but the frog gave him one. He hopped a few feet closer and then reported that facts, just as they occurred. That the princess had promised to take him into her care. And he was there to collect. The princess set her face into her hands and winced. It sounded much worse than it really was, she decided, but still, she looked at her father through her fingers, cautiously.

"Is this true, Daughter?" The King asked in a regal tone.

"He's only a frog, Father. I do not need a pet."

"A promise is still a promise, though. If you give your word, then you must live by it." The man aimed his finger toward her.

"But Father . . . it's a frog!" The girl clenched the edge of the table and gave the frog a mean look.

"That does not matter. If you do not wish to honor a promise, do not make them!" He leaned forward and the princess leaned back. His smile was one of those, "don't-you-dare-argue-with-me" smiles that only a King can make.